Signaling device



Patented June 20, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SIGNALING DEVICEApplication January 28, 1937, Serial No. 122,701

30 Claims.

This invention relates to signaling devices and more particularly tomeans for controlling the operation of the signal device employed onlocomotives.

There are a number of different whistle signals employed in railwayservice and the most frequently used signal consists of two long blastsfollowed by two short blasts which is employed at the approach torailway crossings. In the operation of high speed trains, such as are atpresent being employed in service, these crossings are often passed atshort time intervals and the operation of the whistle at each oi thesecrossings requires considerable time and attention by the engineer. Infact, such frequent operation of the whistle is liable to become such aburden to the yengineer that he may at some time fail to operate thesignal at the approach to a crossing and such failure may result in thewreckage of the train or damage to other properties and perhaps mayresult in the loss of life.

One object of the invention is to provide improved means adapted tooperate automatically to effect the operation of a locomotive signal de-25 vice to produce the desired signal at railway crossings or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means of theabove type adapted, if desired, to be under the control of the engineeron whose part, a simple act, such as the mere depressing of a button,will initiate the operation of the means which will then continue tooperate automatically to effect the operation of the signal means on thelocomotive to produce the desired series of signal blasts.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved means of theabove type the automatic operation of which is controlled wholly byfluid under pressure.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following moredetailed description of the invention.

In the accompanying drawing the single gure is a diagrammatic view of asignaling mechanism 45 embodying the invention.

As shown in the drawing, the signaling mechanism comprises a signalproducing device in the form of a uid pressure operated whistle I, avalve device 2 for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure fromany suitable source of fluid under pressure, such as in a fluid pressuresupply pipe 3, to said whistle for effecting the operation thereof, anoperating device 4 for controlling the operation of the valve device 2,and a control device 5 provided for controlling the operation of thedevice 4 and embodying the invention.

The valve device 2 may be of any suitable type having one position forestablishing communication from the fluid pressure supply pipe 3 to thewhistle I through which fluid under pressure is adapted to be suppliedfrom said pipe to said whistle for effecting the operation thereof, andhaving another position for cutting oi the supply of fluid underpressure to said Whistle to prevent its operating.

'Ihe Valve device 2 is adapted to be operated by a lever 6 fulcrumed atone end on a pin 'I and connected at the other end by a pin 8 to one endof a link 9 the other end of which is connected by a pin Ill to the endof a rod I I connected to a piston I2 contained in the operating device4.

The piston I2 has at one side a chamber I3 open to the atmospherethrough a breather port I4 and containing a spring I5 acting on thepiston. The piston I2 has at the opposite side a chamber I6 which isconnected to a pipe I'I leading to the control device 5.

The control device 5 comprises a casing con- 275 taining a signal orwhistle control valve device I8 which comprises a piston I9 having atone side a chamber 20 containing a spring 2| acting on the piston andhaving at the opposite side a valve chamber 22 in constant communicationthrough a passage and pipe 23 with any suitable source of fluid underpressure such as may be provided by a reservoir 24. The valve chamber 22contains a slide valve 25 disposed between spaced shoulders on a stem 26secured to the piston I9 so as to be moved with said piston.

The operation of the whistle control valve device I8 to elfect operationof the whistle I is adapted to be controlled by a blast initiating Valvedevice 2l and a blast repeater valve device 28.

The blast initiating valve device 21 comprises a Valve 29 contained in achamber 3i) for controlling communication therefrom to a chamber 3l. Thechamber 30 is connected by passages 32 and 33 to the control pistonchamber 2i] and 45 contains a spring 34 for seating the valve 29. Thevalve 23 has a stem extending through a suitable bore in the casing intothe chamber 3! and therein engaging the end of an operating stem 35which extends to the exterior of the casing and 50 which is adapted tobe depressed to unseat the Valve 25 against the spring 34. A valve 36 isprovided on the stem 35 adapted to engage a seat formed in the casingwhen the Valve 29 is unseated to prevent leakage of uid under pressure55,

from chamber 9| past the valve stem 35 to the atmosphere.

The valve stem 35 may be operated to unseat the valve 29 in any desiredmanner, as by pressure applied manually by the engineer, or if desiredit may be operated automatically through the medium of suitable ramps(not shown) provided along the trackway. The particular means wherebythe valve stem 35 is depressed is however not pertinent to the inventionand a further description thereof is n-ot essential.-

The blast repeating valve device 28 comprises a movable abutmentpreferably-in the form of a exible diaphragm 38 having at one side achamber 39 and at the opposite side a chamber 49 which is open to theatmosphere through an atmospheric port 4|. A follower plate 42 isdisposed in chamber 49 and is secured to the diaphragm 3S, while aspring 43 in said chamber acts on the follower plate 42 for urging sameand the diaphragm 38 to their normal position, as shown in the drawing.

Two`poppet valves 44 and 45 are disposed in chambers 46 and 41,respectively, for controlling communication from said chambers topassages 48 and 49, respectively, leading to the atmospheric chamber 49.These valves are adapted to engage seat ribs provided in theirrespective chambers for closing communication therefrom to the chamber49. The follower 42 is provided with two spaced stems 58 and 5|extending into the passages 48 and 49, respectively, and adapted, upondeflection of the diaphragm 38 against the opposing pressure of spring43, to engage said valves and move same out of engagement with theirrespective seats.

A blast terminating valve device 52 is provided for eifecting operationof the signal control valve device i8 to terminate signaling operationof whistle a predetermined time interval after operation of theinitiating valve device 21 or repeating valve device 28.

The terminating valve device 52 comprises a flexible diaphragm 53 havingat one side a chamber 54 and at the opposite side a chamber 55 open tothe atmosphere through an atmospheric passage 58. A follower 51 disposedin the charnber 55 is secured to the diaphragm 53 and a spring 58 insaid chamber acts on said follower in opposition to the pressure offluid in chamber 54. A valve 59 is provided in the chamber 55 to controlcommunication from said chamber to a passage 59. A valve 6| is providedin a chamber 62 for controlling communication therefrom to passage E,and a spring 83 is provided in said chamber acting on valve 6| urgingsame to its seat. The valve 59 has a stem 64 which engages a stem 95projecting from the valve 6|, said stems being of such length as tounseat one of said valves when the other is seated. A stem 6B projectingfrom the follower plate 51 and engaging the valve 59 is provided forcontrolling the seating and unseating of the valves 59 and 6|.

A valve device 61 is provided to operate at a certain time to modify theoperation of the blast terminating valve device 52 so as to change thelength of whistle blasts effected by the operation of the control valvedevice I8. The valve device 81, which may therefore be called the blastchange device, comprises a piston 68 having at one side a chamber 69containing a spring 18 acting on said piston and having at the oppositeside a chamber 1| containing a slide valve 12 disposed between spacedshoulders on a stem 13 which projects from the piston 68, so that saidslide valve will move with said piston.

The valve devices 14 and 15 are provided for controlling the operationof the blast change device 61. The device 14 comprises a piston 1Ghaving at one side a chamber 11 containing a spring 18 acting on thepiston and having at the opposite side a chamber 19 containing a slidevalve 80 disposed between spaced shoulders on a stern 8| projecting fromsaid piston, so that said slide valve will move with said piston.

The valve device comprises a piston 82 having at one side a chamber 89and having at the opposite side a chamber 84 open to the atmospherethrough an atmospheric passage 85. The valve device 15 further comprisesa valve 86 contained in a chamber 81 for controlling communication fromsaid chamber to the atmospheric charnbei1 84. A spring 88 in the chamber81 acts on the valve 86 urging it to its seat, while a stop 89 extendinginto said chamber is adapted to be engaged by said valve for limitingunseating movement thereof. The piston 82 has a stem 98 adapted toengage the valve 86 for unseating said valve. A vent port in the form ofa groove 9| is provided in the wall of the cylinder containing piston 82and forms a vent communication from the chamber 84 to the atmosphericpassage 85. The groove 9| is normally disconn nected from the chamber 83by the piston 82 but is adapted to be opened to said chamber uponmovement of said piston to unseat the valve 86.

A device 92 which may be termed a signal stop valve device is providedfor causing the mechanism to cease operation after having effected theoperation of the whistle to provide a predetermined series of blasts.

The signal stop valve device 92 comprises a piston 93 having at one sidea chamber 94 containing a spring 95 acting on said piston and having atthe opposite side a valve chamber 95 containing a slide valve 91disposed between spaced shoulders on a stem 93 projecting from thepiston 93.

The pilot valve device 98 is provided for controlling the operation ofthe signal stop valve device 92. The pilot valve device 98 comprises aiiexible diaphragm 99 having at one side a chamber |08 and at theopposite side a chamber |9| connected to the atmosphere through anatmospheric passage |92. A diaphragm follower |93 disposed in chamberIUI is secured to the diaphragm 99 and a spring |84 contained in chamber|9| acts on said follower for urging said diaphragm in the direction ofchamber |89. The diaphragm 99 is provided for controlling the operationof two oppositely seating valves |95 and 95, the valve |85 beingcontained in a chamber |81 and the valve |98 being contained in thechamber |8|. A stem |88 forms an operating connection between valves |95and |99 and is of such length that when one of the valves is seated, theother valve is unseated. A spring |89 in chamber 81 acts on the valve|95 urging said valve to its seat and the valve |08 away from its seat.The diaphragm follower |83 is provided with a stem H5 engaging the valve|06 and operative upon deflection of the diaphragm 99 against spring |94to seat the valve |99 and unseat the valve |05.

A device is provided which is adapted to operate, after the mechanismhas effected through the medium of the whistle a predetermined series ofblasts, to recondition the mechanism for operating to repeat such seriesof blasts at the next crossing.

The device II may be called a reset valve device and comprises a piston||2 having at one side a chamber I|3 and having at the opposite side achamber I I4 connected by a passage I I5 to chamber 3| in the initiatingvalve device 21. The piston ||2 has a stem ||6 slidably mounted in asuitable bore extending through a partition wall and leading to achamber ||1 which is in constant communication with the atmospherethrough a passage ||8. A groove II9 is provided longitudinally in thestem ||6 forming an always open communication between chambers i I4 andI I1. Across-head |20 having two spaced fingers I 2| and |22 is providedin chamber |01 and is adapted to be operated by piston stem I|6 uponmovement of the piston I2 toward the right hand to unseat two valves |23and |24 against the opposing seating pressures of springs |25 and |26,respectively. The valve |23 is contained in a chamber |21 and isprovided for controlling communication therefrom to chamber ||1, Whilethe valve |24 is contained in a chamber |28 and is adapted to controlcommunication from said chamber to chamber |I1..

A by-pass valve |29 is provided which comprises a piston |36 having atone side a chamber |3I in constant communication with the atmospherethrough an atmospheric passage |32 and containing a spring |33 acting onsaid piston. The piston |30 has at the opposite side a chamber |34 inconstant communication with the supply reservoir 24 through a relativelylarge bore |35 and passage and pipe 23. A valve |36 is contained in achamber |31 for controlling communication from said chamber to the bore|35 and a spring |38 in said chamber acts to urge the valve |36 to itsseated position. The piston |30 has a stem |39 extending through thebore |35 and adapted to engage the valve |36 for unseating said valveupon movement of the piston |39 in a direction toward the left hand. Thespring |38 acting on the valve |36 exerts a less pressure on the valve|36 than spring |33 exerts on thepiston |30 so that When the mechanismis void of uid under pressure, spring |33 will maintain the piston |30in sealing engagement with a gasket |40 and in this position will holdthe valve |36 unseated.

In operation, fluid under pressure is supplied to the supply reservoir24 from any suitable source and from thence ows through pipe and passage23 to valve chamber 22 of the Whistle control valve device I8 and to therelatively large bore |35 in the valve device |29.

With the whistle control piston I9 in the position shown in the drawingfluid under pressure supplied to chamber 22 is permitted to flow'through a relatively small by-pass groove |4| to piston chamber 26.With the valve |36 unseated, fluid under pressure supplied from thereservoir 21| to the bore |35 is permitted to flow at a relatively rapidrate to chamber I 31 and from thence through passage 33 to pistonchamber 20 and also from passage 33 to valve chamber 30 in theinitiating valve device 21. Due to the supply of huid under pressurepast valve |35` to piston chamber 29, the pressure of' fluid in chamber20 builds up at substantially the same rate as that in valve chamber 22and thus prevents, during this initial charging operation, thedevelopment of a sufficient differential of pressures on the piston I9to move said piston toward the left hand against the opposing pressureof spring 2 I.

When the pressure thus obtained in piston chamber 20, valve chamber |31and in chamber |34 acting on the left hand face of the by-pass piston|30 becomes sufficient to overcome the opposing pressure of spring |33,said piston is moved out of sealing engagement with gasket |40 and toits right hand position in which it engages and seals against a gasket|42. This movement of piston |30 permits spring |39 to seat valve |36and thereby close this communication between the valve chamber 22 andthe piston chamber 23 following which equalization of the fluidpressures in valve chamber 22 and piston chamber 26 occurs through theby-pass groove |4I.

At this point it is desired to point out that the pressure of spring |33on valve |36 is sufficient to prevent unseating of said valve upon anyreduction in pressure effected in piston chamber 20 and thereby in valvechamber |31 during operation of the mechanism as will hereinafter bedescribed.

The piston |30 seals against the gasket |42 in its right hand position,as above described, in order to prevent leakage of iiuid under pressurefrom the bore |35 and thereby from the supply reservoir 24 past saidpiston to the atmospheric chamber |3| and thereby to the atmospherethrough passage |32.

Fluid at the pressure in the supply reservoir 24 supplied to the controlvalve chamber 22 is also supplied from said chamber to a passage |43 andthrough this passage to valve chamber 1| of the blast change device 61,valve chamber 96 of the valve device 92, valve chamber |01 of the valvedevice 98, valve chamber 19 of the valve device 14 and to valve chamber62 of the valve device 52.

In the drawing, the various devices of the control valve device 5 areshown in their normal positions to which they are moved after saiddevice has been operated to effect a series of signal blasts, as will behereinafter described.

The whistle control valve device I8 has, beside the normal positionshown in the drawing, another position dened by the engagement of thepiston I9 with a gasket |44, this other position being the position foreffecting operation of the whistle I.

In the normal or non-operating position of the piston I9 and its slidevalve 25, piston chamber I6 of the cylinder device 4 is.vented to theatmosphere through pipe and passage I1, a cavity |45 in slide valve 25and an atmospheric passage |46. This permits spring I5 acting on thepiston I2 to move the piston I2 and thereby the whistle operating lever6 to a position in which the valve device 2 closes communication .fromthe fluid pressure supply pipe 3 to the whistle I, so that the whistle Iwill not operate. When the Whistle control valve device I3 is moved tothe signaling position in which piston I9 engages the gasket |44, a port|48 in the slide valve 25 registers with the passage I1 and permitsfluid under pressure from valve chamber 22 to flow through said passageto cylinder I 6 and therein act on the piston I2 to move said pistonagainst the pressure of spring I5 toward the right hand and thereby.7operate the lever 6 and valve device 2 to open communicationv from theuid pressure supply pipe 3 to the Whistle I, and through thiscommunication fluid under pressure is supplied to said whistle foreffecting a signal blast.

With the parts of the control valve device 5 in their normal position asshown in the drawing and with fluid under pressure supplied from thereservoir 24 to the various chambers in said valve device ashereinbefore described, if it is desired to effect a signal, consistingof two long and two short blasts, upon the approach to a grade crossing,the plunger of the initiating valve device 21 is depressed, in anydesired manner.

This operation of plunger 35 seats the valve 36 and unseats the valve 29which vents fluid under pressure from piston chamber 20 through passages33 and 32, chamber 38, past the valve 29 to chamber 3| and from thencethrough passage ||5 to chamber I|4 in the reset device III and fromthence through groove |I9 in the piston stem I|6 to chamber |I1 and fromthence to the atmosphere through passage I|8. This venting of fluidunder pressure from piston chamber 29 reduces the fluid pressure thereinto a sufficient degree below the opposing fluid pressure in chamber 22acting on the piston I9, that a suicient differential of fluid pressuresis obtained to move said piston toward the left hand against theopposing pressure of spring 2| and into engagement with the gasket |44.With the piston I9 and slide valve 25 thus moved to the signalingposition, fluid under pressure is supplied from chamber 22 through port|48 to passage I1 and from thence to the operating cylinder 4 foreffecting operation of the valve device 2 to supply fluid under pressureto the Whistle i for effecting operation thereof.

In the signaling position of the piston I9 and slide valve 25 the pistonchamber 2U is vented to the atmosphere through choke |49, passage |50, acavity I5| in said slide valve and an atmospheric passage |52 and sincethe control of this communication is independent of the initiating valvedevice 21, it permits the initiating device 21 to be relieved ofoperating pressure and thereby permits spring 34 to seat the valve 29immediately upon movement of the slide valve 25 to the signalingposition, and since such movement occurs promptly upon unseating 0f thevalve 29, it will be evident that only momentary unseating thereof isrequired to effect movement of the piston 2U to the signaling position.

In the signaling position of slide valve 25 a port |52 therein registerswith a passage |53 and through this communication fluid under pressureis supplied from valve chamber 22 to passage |53 from whence it flowsthrough a choke |54 to a timing reservoir |55 which is in communicationthrough a passage |56 with chamber 54 at the lower face of diaphragm 53in the blast terminatiing valve device 52, and with valve chamber 41 inthe blast repeating valve device 28. The size of the choke |54 and thevolume of the reservoir |55 are so related that by the time the whistleI has been operated to effect a blast of the desired duration, sufcientpressure will be obtained in reservoir |55 and in chamber 54 acting onthe diaphragm 53 to deflect said diaphragm upwardly against the opposingpressure of the spring 58, and this movement acts to seat the valve 59and unseat the valve 6 I.

The unseating of valve 6| permits fluid under pressure to flow fromchamber 62 to passage 69 and from thence past a check valve |51 andthrough a passage |58 to thepiston chamber 20. 'I'he rate at which fluidunder pressure is thus supplied to piston chamber 20 sufiiciently eX-ceeds the venting capacity of choke |49 to promptly build up sufcientpressure in chamber 26 to permit spring 2| to move the piston I9 andthereby the slide valve 25 to the right hand or non-Whistling position.In this position the port |48 is moved out of registry with passage I1thus cutting off the supply of fluid under pressure to the whistleoperating cylinder 4, and passage I1 is vented to the atmosphere throughcavity |45 in slide valve 25 and atmospheric passage |46, and thispermits the operating cylinder 4 to operate the valve 2 to cut off thesupply of fluid under pressure for operating the whistle I, ashereinbefore described. The whistle I is thus stopped from operating.

In the right hand or non-whistling position of the device I8 a cavity|59 in slide valve 25 connects passage |53 to a passage |60, whichpermits fluid under pressure in the reservoir |55 to flow through apassage I6I, past check valve |62 by-passing the choke |54, to passage|53 and from thence through cavity |59 to passage |60 and from thencethrough a choke I6I, past a check valve |62 and through a passage |63 toa reservoir |64 which communicates through a passage |65 with thediaphragm chamber 39 in the blast repeating valve device 2B.

The fluid under pressure is thus permitted to ow from thereservoir|55'to the reservoir |64 at a rate determined by the size of the choke|6| The consequent reduction in pressure in reservoir |55 and in chamber54 of the blast terminating valve device 52 permits spring 58 to deflectthe diaphragm 53 downwardly and this permits spring 63 to seat the valve6| and unseat the valve 59, thus cutting off the supply of fluid underpressure to the piston chamber 29 by way of the ball valve |51.

The size of the choke |6| and the volume of the timing reservoir |64 areso related to each other and the volume of the timing reservoir |55 thatafter a predetermined interval of time, a su'cient pressure is obtainedin reservoir |64 and in chamber 39 acting on the diaphragm 38 to movesaid diaphragm upwardly against the opposing pressure of spring 43, andthis upward movement of said diaphragm acts to unseat the valves 44 and45. The unseating of the valve 45 suddenly vents the fluid underpressure remaining in the reservoir |55 through the passage |56 andchamber 41 to the chamber 4D and from thence to the atmosphere throughpassage 4|. The unseating of the valve 44 acts to vent fluid underpressure from the piston chamber 28 of the whistle control valve deviceI8 through passage |66, a choke |61, and valve chamber 46 to chamber 48and from thence to the atmosphere through atmospheric passage 4|. Thisventing of fluid under pressure from piston chamber 2|) is adapted toeffect suiicient reduction in pressure therein to cause the whistlecontrol valve piston I9 and slide valve 25 to again move to their lefthand or whistling position, but the choke |61 is provided tosufliciently delay obtaining said reduction in pressure in pistonchamber 20 as to prevent movement of the piston I9 and slide Valve 25 tothe whistling position before the timing reservoir |55 is completelyvented by way of the valve 45, and so that said reservoir will thus bein condition to properly measure the duration of the subsequent orsecond long blast of the whistle.

In the signaling position of the valve device I8 fluid under pressure isagain supplied through the port |52 in slide valve 25 to passage |53 andfrom thence through the choke |54 to the timing reservoir |55, and after.a certain degree of pressure is obtained in said reservoir acting ondiaphragm 53 of the blast terminating valve 52, the blast terminatingvalve 52 is again operated to supply fiuid under pressure to the pistonchamber 28 and thereby effect movement of the piston I9 and slide valve25 to the non-signaling position. It will be noted the whistle controlvalve device i8 remains in the left hand or signaling position the samelength of time while effecting the second blast from whistle I as justdescribed, as when effecting the initial blast, this length of time, orin other words, the duration of the whis-v tle blast being controlled inboth casesby the time required to charge the reservoir |55 through choke|54.

Upon movement of the whistle control valve clevice I8 to the normalposition at the end of the second blast of whistle I, fluid underpressure is again permitted to flow from the timing reservoir |55 to thetiming reservoir |64, and when suilicient pressure is obtained in thereservoir |64 ,and in the connected diaphragm chamber 39 to operate theblast repeating valve device 28, the blast repeating valve device isagain operated to unseat the valves 44 and 45 to effect Venting of fluidunder pressure from the timing reservoir |55 and from piston chamber 29of the whistle control valve device I8 for initiating another blast ofthe whistle I as hereinbefore described.

When the control valve device I8 is in the left hand position effectinga signal blast a cavity |58 in the slide valve 25 connects passage |63from the timing reservoir |64 to a passage |69 leading to piston chamber83 in the valve device 15. Fluid under pressure then flows from thereservoir |65 to chamber 83 and actsv to move the piston 82 downwardlyand open the atmospheric groove 9| to chamber 83, and through thiscommunication fluid under pressure is vented from the timing reservoir|64 while the control valve device I8 is in the signaling position. Inthis manner the reservoir |64 is conditionecLwhile the whistle I isbeing operated to effect a signal blast, to time the interval betweenblasts upon movement of the piston I9 and slide valve 25 from theirsignaling to their non-signaling position.

When the valve device I8 is moved to the nonsignaling position at thetermination of the second blast of whistle I, the reservoir |55 is againconnected to the reservoir |64 and when suflicient pressure is obtainedin reservoir |64 and in diaphragm chamber 39 of the repeater valvedevice 28 to overcome the pressure of spring 43, the diaphragm 38 isagain deected to unseat the valves 44 and 45. The unseating of the valve44 acts to vent uid under pressure from piston chamber 29 for againeffecting movement of the control valve device I8 to signaling position,while the unseating of valve 45 acts to vent the fluid under pressurefrom reservoir |55 to condition said reservoir for measuring theduration of the next blast of the whistle I, as hereinbefore described.

From the above description it will be noted that the length or durationof each of the initial two blasts of the whistle I is controlled by thebuild up in pressure in the reservoir |55 through the choke |54 and isterminated by the valve device 52 when a predetermined pressure isobtained in said reservoir. The interval between blasts is controlled bythe build up of pressure in reservoir |64 through the choke I6| and isterminated by the operation of valve device 28 when a certainpredetermined pressure is obtained in reservoir |55. The operation ofthe valve device 28 vents iiuid under pressure from the reservoir |55 soas to condition said reservoir for timing the duration of the succeedingblast of the whistle, .and while the valve device I8 is in the signalingposition the reservoir |64 is vented by way of the valve device so thatsaid reservoir will be in condition for timing the interval betweenblasts upon subsequent movement of the control valve device I8 to thenon-signaling position.

In the normal position of the valve device 14 a port |19 in the slidevalve 80 permits uid supplied irom the supply reservoir 24 tovalvechamber 19 to flow to passage I1I and from thence to piston chamber 69in the valve device 61. The fluid pressure thus obtained in pistonchamber t9 is the same as that acting in valve chamber 1I and permitsspring 19 to hold the piston 68 in the position shown in the drawing.

While the whistle valve device I8 is operating to effect the initialtwoblasts of the whistle I, each time the whistle valve device moves tothe whistling position, a port |12 in the slide valve 25 registers'witha passage |13 containing a choke |14 and through this communicationfluid under pressure is supplied from valve chamber 22 to a reservoir|15 which is in communication through passage |16 with piston chamber 11of the valve device 14. While effecting the initial two blasts of thewhistle I sufficient pressure is obtained in reservoir |15 and pistonchamber 11 of the valve device 14, as aided by spring 18, to overcomethe opposing pressure of fluid in valve chamber 19 on the piston 16 andmove said piston from the position shown in the drawing to a right handposition in which it engages the casing. This movement of the piston 16shifts the slide valve 8| from the position shown in the drawing to aposition in which a cavity |11 in said slide valve connects passage |1|from piston chamber 59 in the valve device 61 to a passage |18 leadingto valve chamber 81 in the valve device 15.

When the valve device 15 is operated by fluid under pressure suppliedfrom the timing reservoir |64 upon movement of the signal control valvedevice I8 to the signaling position following the interval after thesecond blast of whistle I, the unseating of the valve 86 in the device'I5 vents uid under pressure from passage |18 and thereby from pistonchamber 69 of the Valve device 61 to chamber 84 at the lower side of thepiston 82 and from thence through the groove 9| to the atmospherethrough the atmospheric passage 85. The consequent reduction in pressurein piston chamber 59 of the valve device `I'I permits the pressure offluid in the valve chamber 1I to move the piston 68 toward the left intoengagement with a gasket |19.

With the slide valve 12 of the valve device 61 moved to this left handposition, a cavity |89 therein connects a passage I8| to a passage |82which communicates through a choke |83 with passage |56 leading to thetiming reservoir |55. The passage |8I connects with passage |53 in frontof the choke |54 thereby establishing a communication from passage |53around the choke |54 and through the choke |88 to the reservoir |55, itbeing noted that the choke |83 is thus connected in parallel with thechoke |54.

When the whistle control valve device I8 moves to the signaling positionvfollowing the interval after the second blast of whistle I, iiuid underpressure supplied to passage |53 flows through choke |54 to the timingreservoir |55 and at the same time through passage I8I, cavity |80 inslide valve 'I2 to passage |82 and from thence through choke |83 andpassage |56 to the timing reservoir |55. The timing reservoir |55 isthus charged through the two chokes |54 and |83, arranged in parallel,and the pressure in said reservoir builds up more rapidly than whencharged through the choke |54 by itself as occurred while effecting theinitial two blasts of the whistle I. As a result, sufficient pressure isobtained in diaphragm chamber 54 for operating the valve device 52 toeffect movement of the signal control valve device I8 to itsnon-signaling position sooner than when effecting the initial two blastsof the whistle I. In other words, due to the additional supply of iiuidunder pressure to the timing reservoir |55 through the choke |83 whileeffecting the third signal blast of whistle I, the third blast isterminated a shorter time after being initiated than the initial twoblasts, the length of which was controlled by the charging of thereservoir |55 through only the choke |54.

When the signal control valve device I8 is moved to the non-signalingposition to terminate the third blast of whistle I as just described,the supply of uid under pressure from valve chamber l22 to the timingreservoir |55 is cut 01T and said reservoir is again connected to thetiming reservoir |64. The consequent reduction in pressure in timingreservoir |55 and diaphragm chamber 54 of the blast terminating valve 52permits closure of the valve 6| which cuts off the supply of fluid underpressure to the piston chamber 20 and when a predetermined pressure isobtained in the timing reservoir |64 by ow from the reservoir |55 theblast repeating valve device 28 is again operated to vent the timingreservoir |55 and to eiTect movement of the signal valve device i8 tothe signaling position to initiate the fourth blast of whistle I. Inthis position fluid under pressure is again supplied from the valvechamber 22 through port |52 in the slide valve 25 and both chokes |54and |83 to the timing reservoir |55 and when a predetermined pressure isobtained therein the valve device 52 is again operated to effectmovement of the signal control valve device I8 to its non-signalingposition, thus terminating the fourth blast of whistle I. This fourthblast of whistle I is of the same length as the third blast which wasshorter than the initial two blasts; thus as described, the mechanismhas automatically operated to effect a signal comprising two long andtwo short blasts, and the same interval has been provided between all ofthe blasts by the reservoir |84 and choke |6I.

As hereinbefore described, fluid under pressure is supplied from thevalve chamber 22 of the signal control valve device I 8 to the timingreservoir |15 whenever the signal control valve device I8 is in thesignaling position. The choke |14 in this communication is soproportioned to the volume of the reservoir |15 that before completionof the second short blast of the whistle a sufficient pressure will beobtained in the reservoir |15 and connected diaphragm chamber |00 of thevalve device 98 to deect the diaphragm 99 against the opposing pressureof spring |04 and thereby seat the valve |06 and unseat the valve |05.

With the valve |05 unseated fluid under pressure is supplied fromchamber |01 to a passage |85 which leads to the seat of the slide valve25. When the slide valve 25 is moved to the nonsignaling position at thetermination of the second short blast of the whistle I, a cavity |86 insaid slide valve connects passage |85 to a passage |81 so that fluidunder pressure supplied to passage |85 by operation of the valve device98 ows to passage |81 and from thence to piston chamber 94 of the signalstop valve device 92 and to the piston chamber ||3 of the reset valvedevice I||.

The pressure of fluid thus attained in piston chamber 94 acting withspring 95 overcomes the opposing pressure of fluid in valve chamber 95acting on the piston 93 and moves said piston and the slide valve 91from the position shown in the drawing to its left hand position inwhich a cavity in said slide valve connects a passage |9| from thetiming reservoir |64 to an atmospheric passage |92. Through thecommunication just described the timing reservoir |64 is connected tothe atmosphere at the termination of 'the second short blast of thewhistle I, so that the uid under pressure supplied to said reservoirfrom the timing reservoir |55 cannot build up sufficient pressuretherein to again effect operation of the repeating valve device 28, andas a result, said device and the signal control valve device I8 remainin their normal positions after the fourth blast of the Whistle I hasterminated.

It will be noted that since the timing reservoir |55 is connected to thereservoir |64 with the signal control valve device I8 in thenon-signaling position, fluid under pressure will be vented from both ofthese reservoirs by way of the valve device 92 when in its left handposition.

The pressure oi' the iluid supplied to chamber II3 in the reset valvedevice |I| acting on the piston I I2 moves said piston from the positionshown in the drawing towards the right hand into engagement with agasket |93. This movement of the piston I I2 acts through the cross-head|20 and pins |2| and |22 to unseat the valves |23 and |24, respectively.The unseating of the valve |23 opens a vent communication to diaphragmchamber |00 of the valve device 98 and to the timing reservoir |15 andthrough this communication fluid under pressure is vented from saidchambers to chamber ||1 and from thence to the atmosphere through theatmospheric passage II8.

When the pressure in diaphragm chamber |00 is thus reduced suficiently,spring |04 deflects diaphragm 99 downwardly permitting seating of thevalve |05 by spring |09. As the valve |05 is seated the valve |06 isunseated and past valve |06 fluid under' pressure is vented from pistonchamber' II3 of the reset valve device III and from piston chamber 94 ofthe valve device 92 by way of passage |81, cavity |85 in the slide valve2,5, passage |85, through chamber |0I and from thence through passage|02 to the atmosphere. When the uid under pressure is thus vented frompiston chamber 94 of the valve device 92 the supply reservoir pressureacting in valve chamber 96 of said device promptly overcomes theopposing pressure of spring 95 on the piston 93 and moves said pistonand the slide valve 91 to the position shown in the drawing in whichcommunication between passage I 9| and the atmospheric exhaust passage I9|) `is closed. The passage I 9| is, however, maintained open to theatmosphere past the unseated valve |24 in the reset valve device III,chamber |I1 and the atmospheric passage IIB, after the Valve device 92moves to its right hand or normal position. The fluid under pressureremaining in the timing reservoirs |64 and |55 at the time of themovement of the valve device 92 to its right hand position, is thereforecompletely vented past the valve |24 in the reset valve device I|I,while past the valve |23 in said device, the uid under pressure iscompletely vented from the reservoir |15, piston chamber 11 in the valvedevice 14, and from diaphragm chamber I in the valve Idevice 98.

When the pressure of fluid in piston chamber 11 of the valve device 14is reduced suciently, as just described, the pressure of fluid in valvechamber 19 moves the piston 1S to its normal or left hand positionagainst the opposing pressure of spring 18 and in this position theslide valve 8| supplies fluid under pressure through port |1 therein topassage l1| and from thence to piston chamber 69 of the valve device 61.When the pressure of fluid thus obtained in chamber 59 becomessuiiicient, it acting in conjunction with spring 1G moves the piston 68and slide valve 12 from the left hand to the right hand position inwhich communication is closed between passages iti and |82, so that thechoke |83 will be initially ineffective when the valve device 5 againoperates upon the approach to a grade crossing.

The valves |23 and |24 of the reset Valve device I!! are relativelysmall and the pressure of the springs |25 and |26, respectively, on saidvalves is only suflicient substantially to seat said valves, and thecombined pressure of these springs is not sucient to move the piston I|2out of its right hand position after the venting of fluid under pressurefrom chamber II3 at the left hand face of said piston by the operationof the valve device 98. As a result, the valves |23 and |24 remain openWhile the valve device 5 is not being operated to effect a signal, thevalve 523 thereby maintaining the reservoir |15, piston chamber 11 anddiaphragm chamber |00 at atmospheric pressure, while the valve |24 actsto maintain the timing reservoirs |64 and |55 at atmospheric pressure,thereby maintaining themechanism in proper condition to operate again,When required.

It is on account of the relatively small flow capacity of the valve |24that the valve device 92 is provided to operate upon completion of theseries of signal blasts to open a relatively large vent from the timingreservoir |64 in order to insure that a sufficient pressure will not beobtained in said reservoir and in the diaphragm chamber 39 of therepeating valve device 28 to operate said device to cause another signalblast to be effected.

It Will be evident that while the valve device 92 is provided forventing uid under pressure from the timing reservoir |64, so as toprevent a suicient pressure being obtained therein to operate the valvedevice 28 at the termination of the desired series of signal blasts, itis not necessary to further reduce the pressure in the timing reservoirI 54, since the pressure therein would be reduced upon the nextoperation of the Whistle control valve device I8 to effect a signal, byWay of the valve device 15. The vent by way of the valve |24 in thereset valve device III is not therefore primarily to vent the timingreservoir |534 but is to vent the timing reservoir |55 which isconnected to reservoir |54 through the Whistle control valve device I8in its normal position, so that the timing reservoir |55 will be incondition to properly control the length of the initial Whistle blastupon operation of the mechanism at the approach to the next gradecrossing.

When it is desired to cause the valve device 5 to operate to effectanother seriesof blasts of the Jhistle i, the initiating valve device 21is again operated to vent iiuid under pressure from the piston chamber29, past the valve 29 to passage H5 and from thence to chamber |I4 atthe rightv hand face of the piston I|2 of the reset valve device I. Thefluid under pressure thus obtained in chamber |I4 promptly moves thepiston II2 out of its right hand position, shown in the drawing, andtoits left hand position and then flows from said chamber through grooveI I9 to chamber I|1 and thence to the atmosphere through the atmosphericport |I8, as hereinbefore described. This movement of the piston |I2 toits left hand position permits the springs |25, |26 to seat the valves|23 and |24, respectively, so that the timing reservoir |15 may becomecharged for controlling the operation of the valve devices 14 and 98,and so that the timing reservoir |54 may be in condition to function forcontrolling the valve device 28, as hereinbefore described.

From the above description it will be noted that a valve mechanismcontrolled completely by fluid pressure is provided which isautomatically operative to provide a ldesired series of signal blasts ata grade crossing or the like.

This mechanism comprises a Whistle control valve device |8 having asignaling position for effecting operation of the Whistle I and having anon-signaling position in which it is normally carried and to which itis moved to stop operation of the whistle I. The initiating valve device21 is provided to cause the Whistle control valve device I8 to operateto effect the initial blast cf a desired series of blasts, while thevalve device 28 is provided for causing the Whistle control valve deviceI8 to effect the succeeding blasts of the series, after a time intervalbetween blasts determined by the volume of reservoir |64 and choke |6I.The valve device 52 acts to terminate the blasts after a length of timedetermined by the volume of reservoir |55 and the flow capacity of thechoke |54 for the first two long blasts, and by the added flow capacityof choke |83 for the subsequent, two short blasts. The choke |83 is cutin at the proper time by the timed operation of the valve devices 14 and61 as controlled by the charging of reservoir |15 through the choke |14,and by the operation of the valve device 15 as controlled by theoperation of the control valve device I8.

The valve device 98 acts at the proper time to effect the operation ofthe valve device 92 to prevent further operation of the valve device 28and thus terminates the operation of the valve device I8 at thecompletion of the desired series of blasts, While the valve device IIIunder the control of the initiating valve device 21 acts to reconditionthe mechanism for effecting a signal at the next grade crossing, andalso acts to prevent leakage of fluid under pressure within themechanism from affecting the succeeding operation thereof.

It Will be evident from the above description that the operation of theinitiating valve device 21 may be effected in any desired manner and itWill be further evident that the Whistle control valve device I8 maycontrol the operation of any desired type of signal device, the Whistledevice I being shown merely for the purpose of illustration.

While one illustrative embodiment ofthe invention hasbeen described indetail, it is not the intention to limit its scope to that embodiment orotherwise than by the terms of the appended claims. v

Having noW described my invention, what I l cliam as'new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is: l

l. In combination, a signal device, control means operative to controloperation of said signal device, a device having a normal position andoperative upon movement from said position to initiate the operation ofsaid control means and then returnable to said position, and uidpressure controlled mechanism set in operation upon the operation of theinitiating device and operative after return of said initiating deviceto said normal position for automatically effecting intermittentoperation of said control means, said fluid pressure controlledmechanism comprising means controlled by variations in fluid pressureand operative automatically, after said signal device is operated toeffect a blast of predetermined length, to effect the operation of saidcontrol means to cause said signal device to cease operating, and othermeans controlled by variations in fluid pressure and operativeautomatically a predetermined interval of time after the signal devicehas ceased operating, to cause said control means to again operate to`cause .said signal device to effect another signal blast.

2. In combination, a signal device, valve means operative to controloperation of said signal device, a devicemovable to a certain positionto initiatethe operation of said valve means and then movable out ofsaid position, and uid pressure controlled mechanism set in operationupon the operation of the initiating device and automatically operativeafter movement of said initiating device `out of said position forautomatically effecting .intermittent operation of said valve means,said fluid pressure controlled mechanism comprising means controlled byvariations in iiuid pressure and operative automatically, after saidsignal device is operated to effect a blast of predetermined length, toeifect the operation of said valve means to cause said signal device tocease operating, and other means controlled by variations in uidpressure and operative automatically a predetermined interval of timeafter the signal device has ceased operating, to cause said valve meansto again operate to cause said signal device to effect another signalblast, both oi said means being controlled by said valve means.

3. In combination, a signal device, control means operative to controloperation of said signal device,a device movable to a certain positionto initiate the operation of said control means and then movable out ofsaid position, a fluid pressure controlled device operativeautomatically, a predetermined period of time after said control meansis operated to cause said signal device to operate, to effect operationof said control means to stop operation of said signal device, and fluidpressurecontrolled means operative automatically a predetermined periodof time after stopping said signal device and With the initiating devicemoved out of saidcertain position to effect operation of saidcontrolmeans to cause said signal device to again operate.

4. In combination, a signal device, valve means operative to control theoperation of said signal device, a devicemovable to a certain positionto initiate the operation of said valve means and then movable out ofsaid position, mechanism controlled by fluid underpressure suppliedthrough said valve means, after the operation ofvsaid valve means ininitiated and only with said device moved out of said position, forautomatically effecting the operation of said valve means to cause saidsignal device. to effect a predetermined series of successive signalblasts, and means controlled byiluid under pressure supplied throughsaid valve means and` operative a predetermined period of time afteroperation of the initiating device for preventing further operation ofsaid valve means to effect operation of said signal device.

5. In combination, a signal device, valve means operative in accordancewith variations in iluid pressure thereon for effecting operation ofsaid signal device to produce a series of successive signal blasts,means movable to a certain position to initiate the operation of saidsignal device to produce a blast and then movable out of said position,fluid pressure controlled means controlled by said Valve means and setin operation upon the operation of said signal device being initiatedand operative automatically only with the initiating means moved out ofsaid position for effecting said variations in fluid pressure on saidvalve means, and means operative automatically upon the completion ofsaid series of signal blasts to prevent further operation of said valvemeans to effect operation of said signal device.

6. In combination, a signal device, valve means operative in accordancewith variations in fluid pressure thereon for controlling operation ofsaid signal device, means movable to a position for initiating theoperation of said valve means to effect the Yoperation of saidsignaldevice to produce a blast and then `automatically movable out of saidposition, means controlled by said valve means and operativeautomatically only with the initiating device moved out of said positionto effect said variations in fluid pressure on said `valve means foreffecting operation thereof to stop operation of saidsignal device apredetermined interval of time after starting and to start said signaldevice operating a predetermined interval of time after stopping, meansfor controlling said intervals of time, and means controlled by uidunder pressure operative automatically at the completion of apredetermined series of signal blasts to prevent further operation ofsaid valve means.

'7. In combination, a signal device, valve means operative in accordanceWith variations in fluid pressurethereon for controlling operation ofsaid signal device, means operative to initiate the op eration of saidsignal device to produce a blast, means controlled by fluid underpressure for controlling said valvev means and operative automaticallyto eifect operation thereof to stop operation of said signal device apredetermined interval of time` afterstopping and to start said signaldevice operating a predetermined interval of time afterstoppingJluidpressure controlled means vfor controllingthe interval oftime between the starting and stopping of said signal device, valvemeans operative automatically to vary the interval of time between thestarting and stopping of the signal device so as to produce signalblasts of different predetermined lengths, and means controlled by fluidunder pressure automatically operative at the completion of apredetermined series of signalblasts for preventing further operation ofsaid valve means to effect operation of said signal device.

8. In combination, a signal device, valve means movable toa signalingposition for effecting operation ofsaid signal device to produce asignal blast and movable to a normal position for preventing said signaldevice 'from operating, initiating meansmovable from onev position toanother position to effect movement of said valve means to signalingposition foi-,initiating the operationthereof, saidinitiating meansbeing then movable back to said one position,` means controlled by fluidunder pressure and set in operation upon movement of said valve means tothe signaling position and automatically operative after a predeterminedinterval of time and with said initiating means in said one -position toeffect movement of said valve means to said normal position, means setin operation upon movement of said valve means to said normal positionand automatically operative after a predetermined interval of timeandWith said initiating means in said one position to effect movement ofsaid valve means to said signaling position, `and means cooperative Withsaid valve means forcontrolling said intervals of time.

9. In combination, a signal device, valve means movable to a signalingposition for effecting operation of said signal device to produce asignal blast and movable to a normal position for preventing said signaldevice from operating, initiating means movable from one position toanother position to eiect movement of said valve means to the signalingposition -for initiating operation of said valve means said initiatingmeans being then movable back to said one position, a chamber, fluidpressure controlled means operative upon a predetermined increase influid pressure in said chamber to effect movement of said valve meansfrom said signaling position to said normal position, means cooperativewith said valve means for controlling the increase in pressure in saidchamber, means operative upon movement of said valve means to saidnormal position to vent fluid under pressure from said chamber, meansautomatically operative a predetermined interval of time after movementof said valve means to said normal position and with said initiatingmeans in said one position to effect movement of said valve means tosaid signaling position, and means for controlling said interval oftime.

1G. In combination, a signal device, valve means movable to a signalingposition `for eifecting operation of said signal device to produce asignal blast and movable to a normalposition for preventing said signaldevice from operating, means operative to effect movement of said valvemeans to the signaling position for initiating operation of said valvemeans, a chamber, fluid pressure controlled means operati-ve upon apredetermined increase in uid pressure in said chamber to effectmovement of said valve means from said signaling position to said normalposit-ion, means cooperative with said valve meansin the signalingposition thereof for providing a chosen rate of supply of fluid underpressure to said chamber, iiow control means operative to increase therate of supply of uid under pressure to said chamber, means forrendering said flow control means effective when said valve means ismoved to said signaling position a predetermined interval of time afterthe operation of said valve means is initiated, means controlled byfluid funder pressure supplied through said valve means upon movementthereof to saidnormalposition for effecting movement of said valve meansto the signaling position after a predetermined lapse of time in saidnormal position, and means for measuring said lapse of time.

ll. In combination, a signal device, valve means movable to a signalingposition for effecting operation of said signal device to produce,v asignal blast and movable toa normalposition for preventing said signaldevice from operating, means operative to effect movement of said valvemeans to the signaling vposition for initiatingoperation of .said-valvemeans, a chamber, fluid pressure controlled means operative upon apredetermined increase in iiuid pressure in said chamber to effectmovement of said valve means from said signaling position to said normalposition, means cooperative with said valve means in the signalingposition thereof for controlling the supply of uuid under pressure tosaid chamber at a predetermined rate, flow control means operative toincrease the rate of supply of fluid under pressure to said chamber', avalve controlled by said valve means, a valve device controlled by thepressure of fluid in said chamber and cooperative with said valve upon apredetermined variation in fluid pressure in said chamber and uponmovement of said valve means to said signaling position to render saidflow control means effective, said valve means controlling the pressureof uid in said chamber and being operative to effect said variation influid pressure a predetermined interval of time after the initiation ofits operation, another chamber, means operative upon a predeterminedvariation in fluid pressure effected in said other chamber by said valvemeans when in said normal position for effecting movement of said valvemeans to said signal position, and means operative in the signalposition to vent fluid under pressure from the last mentioned chamber.

12. In combination, a signal device, valve means having a signalingposition for effecting operation of said signal device and a normalposition for preventing operation of said signal device, means operativeto initiate the operation of said valve means to operate said signaldevice, a fluid pressure controlled valve device operative' to effectmovement of said valve means to the signaling position, fluid pressurecontrolled means operative to effect movement of said valve means to itsnormal position, means operative in the normal position of said valvemeans to condition said fluid pressure controlled valve device tooperate a predetermined period of time after movement of said valvemeans to said normal position, means operative in the signaling positionof said valve means to condition said fluid pressure controlled means tooperate after a predetermined lapse of time from the movement of saidvalve means to the signaling position, and means operative to vary saidlapse of time a predetermined interval of time after the initialmovement of said valve means to the signaling position.

13. In combination, a signal device, valve means having a signalingposition for effecting operation of said signal device and a normalposition for preventing operation of said signal device, means foreffecting the initial movement of said valve means to the signalingposition, a chamber the pressure of fluid in which is varied uponmovement of said valve means to said signaling position, a valve devicecontrolled by the pressure of uid in said chamber and operative upon apredetermined variation in the pressure therein to effect movement ofsaid valve means to said normal position, a timing reservoir in Whichthe pressure of fluid is varied by said valve means in its normalposition, a valve device operative upon a predetermined variation in thepressure in said timing reservoir to effect movement of said valve meansto the signaling position, means controlled by said valve means forvarying the pressure of fluid in said chamber and reservoir, and meanscontrolled by said valve means operative a predetermined period of timeafter the operation of said valve means is initiated to prevent saidpredetermined variation in pressure in said timing reservoir uponmovement of said valve means to said normal position.

14. In combination, a signal device, a chamber, a timing reservoir,valve means having a signaling position for effecting operation of saidsignal device and for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure tosaid chamber at a restricted rate and for venting fluid under pressurefrom said reservoir, and having a normal position for preventingoperation of said signal device and for releasing iiuid under pressurefrom said chamber to said timing reservoir, means for effecting theinitial movement of said valve means to the signaling position, a valvedevice operative upon a predetermined increase in the pressure of fluidin said chamber to effect movement of said valve means to the normalposition, a repeater valve device operative upon a predeterminedincrease in the pressure of fluid in said timing reservoir to completelyvent fluid under pressure from said chamber and to effect movement ofsaid valve means to the signaling position, another chamber in which thepressure of fluid is adapted to be varied in the signaling position ofsaid valve means, and fluid pressure controlled means operative upon apredetermined variation in uid pressure in the last mentioned chamberand upon movement of said valve means to the normal position forreleasing iiuid under pressure from said timing reservoir to preventfurther operation of said repeater valve device.

15. In combination, a signal device, a chamber, valve means having asignaling position for effecting operation of said signal device and forcontrolling the supply of fluid under pressure to said chamber through arestricted passage and having a normal position for preventing operationof said signal device and for releasing fluid under pressure from saidchamber, means for effecting the initial movement of said valve means tosaid signaling position, a valve device operative upon a predeterminedincrease in the pres- Sure of uid in said chamber to effect movement ofsaid valve means from the signaling position to the normal position,repeater means operative automatically a predetermined period of timeafter movement of said valve means to normal position to effect movementthereof to signaling position, flow control means adapted to beconnected in parallel with said restricted passage for increasing therate of supply of iluid under pressure to said chamber, a timingreservoir adapted to be charged With fluid under pressure at arestricted rate when said valve means is in signaling position, meansoperative upon obtaining a predetermined pressure in said timingreservoir and upon subsequent movement of said valve means to signalingposition to render said flow control means effective, and meansoperative a predetermined period of time after the operation of saidvalve means is initiated to prevent further operation of said repeatermeans.

16. In combination, a signal device, a chamber, a timing reservoir,valve means having a signaling position for eifecting operation of saidsignal device for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure to saidchamber at a restricted rate and for venting fluid under pressure fromsaid reservoir, and having a normal position for preventing operation ofsaid signal device and for releasing fluid under pressure from saidchamber to said timing reservoir, means for effecting the initial fmovement of said valve means to the signaling position, a valve deviceoperative upon a predetermined increase in the pressure of fluid in saidchamber to effect movement of said valve means to the normal position, arepeater valve device operative upon a predetermined increase in thepressure of fluid in said timing reservoir to completely vent the fluidunder pressure from said chamber and to effect movement of said valvemeans to the signaling position, flow control means adapted to increasethe rate of supply of fluid under pressure to said chamber, a timingchamber adapted to be charged With fluid under pressure at a restrictedrate when said valve means is in signaling position, means operativeupon obtaining a predetermined pressure in said timing chamber and uponsubsequent movement of said valve means to signaling position to rendersaid flow control means effective, and means operative upon obtaining apredetermined higher pressure in said timing chamber for Venting fluidun-der pressure from said timing reservoir to prevent further operationof said repeater valve device and for opening said chambers to theatmosphere to release fluid under pressure therefrom, the last mentionedmeans being controlled by the means for effecting the initial movementof said valve means to the signaling position and being operative uponthe operation thereof to close communication from said chambers andreservoir to the atmosphere.

17. In combination, a signal device, valve means operative upon areduction in iiuid pressure to effect the operation of said signaldevice, means for initially effecting a reduction in fluid pressure onsaid valve means, a timing chamber, a valve device operative upon apredetermined increase in fluid pressure in said chamber for controllingthe supply of uid under pressure to said valve means for effectingmovement thereof to its normal position for stopping operation of saidsignal device, and means operative upon movement of sai-d valve means toits signaling position for controlling the supply of fluid underpressure to said chamber at a predetermined rate.

18. In combination, a signal device, valve means operative upon areduction in fluid pressure to effect the operation of said signaldevice, means for initially effecting a reduction in fluid pressure onsaid valve means, a timing chamber, a valve device operative upon apredetermined increase in iiuid pressure in said chamber for controllingthe supply of fluid under pressure to said valve means for effectingmovement thereof to its normal position for stopping operation of saidsignal device, means operative upon movement of said valve means to itssignaling position for controlling the supply of fluid under pressure tosaid chamber at a predetermined rate, and means operative upon movementof said valve means to its normal position for venting iiuid underpressure from said chamber.

19. In combination, a signal device, valve means operative upon areduction in iluid pressure to effect the operation of said signaldevice, means for initially effecting a reduction in fluid pressure onsaid valve means, a timing chamber, a valve device operative upon apredetermined increase in fluid pressure in said chamber for controllingthe supply of fluid under pressure to said valve means for effectingmovement thereof to its normal position for stopping operation of saidsignal device, a timing reservoir, means operative upon a predeterminedincrease in fluid pressure in said reservoir for effecting a reductionin fluid pressure on said valve means, means operative upon Vil movementof said valve means to its signaling position for controlling the supplyof iiuid under pressure to said chamber and for venting fluid under'pressure from said reservoir, and means operative upon movement of saidValve means to the normal position for controlling the supply of iiuidunder pressure to said reservoir and for venting fluid underpressurefrom said chamber.

20. In combination, a signal device, valve means operative upon ar-eduction in flui-d pressure to elect the operation of said signaldevice, means for initially effecting a reduction in fluid pressure onsaid valve means, a timing chamber, a valve device operative upon apredetermined increase in fluid pressure in said chamber for controllingthe supply of iluid under pressure to said valve means for effectingmovement thereof to its normal position for stopping operationof saidsignal device, a timing reservoir, means operative upon a pred-eterminedincrease in fluid pressure in said reservoir for effecting a reductionin uid pressure in said valve means, and for venting the fluid underpressure'from -said chamber, means operative upon movement of said valvemeans to its signaling position for controlling the supply of fluidunder pressure to said chamber at a pr-edetermined rate, and meansoperative upon movement of said valve means to its normal position forcontrolling the supply of iluid under pressure fto said timing reservoirat a predetermined rate.

21. In combination, a signal device, valve means movable upon areduction in fluid pressure to a signaling position to effect operationof said signal device and upon an increase in iluid pressure IVAto anormal position for preventing operation of said signal device, meansforinitially effecting a reduction in fluid pressure on said valve means, atiming chamber, means operative upon a predetermined increase in fluidpressure in said chamberl to effectan increase in fluid pressure on saidvalve means, a timing reservoir, means operative upon a predeterminedincrease in fluid pressure inA saidI reservoir'to effect a reduction influid pressure on saidvalve means, means oper- 1ative uporrmovement-ofsaid valve means to signaling position for controlling the supply ofiiuld under pressure to said timing chamber at a predetermined rate andto vent said reservoir, means operative upon movement of sai-d valve`means to normal position for controlling the supply of fluid underpressure to said reservoir at a predetermined rate and to eiect ventingof fluid under pressure from said chamber, a timing volume, and a valvedevice operative upon a predetermined increase in fluid pressure in saidtiming volume to vent said timing reservoir to the atmosphere uponmovement of said valve means to the normal position, and means operativein the signaling position of said valve means for controlling the supplyof iluid under pressure to said timing volume at a predetermined rate.

22. In combination, a signal device, valve means movable upon areduction in fluid pressure to a signaling position to effect operationof said signal device and upon an increase in fluid pressure to a normalposition for preventing operation of said signal device, means forinitially effecting a reduction in fluid pressure on said valve means, atiming chamber, means operative upon a predetermined increase in fluidpressure in said chamber to effect an increase in fluid pressure on saidvalve means, a timing reservoir, means operative upon a predeterminedincrease in fluid pressure in said reservoir to effect a reduction iniluid pressure on said valve means, means operative upon movement ofsaid valve means to signaling position for controlling the supply offluid under pressure to said timing chamber at a predetermined rate andto vent said reservoir, means operative upon movement of said valvemeans to normal position for controlling the supply of fluid underpressure to said reservoir at a predetermined rate and to effect ventingof fluid under pressure from said chamber, a timing volume, meansoperative in the signaling position of said valve means for controllingthe supply of fluid under pressure to said timing volume at apredetermined rate, a valve device controlling a communication throughwhich iiuid under pressure is adapted to be supplied to said timingchamber upon movement of said valve means to the signaling position, forcharging said chamber at a faster rate, and operative upon apredetermined increase in fluid pressure in said timing volume to opensaid communication, and a valve device operative upon a predeterminedgreater increase in iuid pressure in said timing volume and uponsubsequent movement of said valve means to normal position for ventingsaid timing reservoir to revent further operation of the meanscontrolled thereby.

23. In combination, a source of fluid under pressure, a devicecomprising a casing having a chamber and containing a movable abutmentsubject on one face to the pressure of iiuid in said source and on theopposite face to the pressure of fluid in said chamber, said casinghaving a relatively restricted feed passage and also a normally openpassage having relatively large flow capacity, both of said passagesconnecting said source to said chamber and adapted to supply fluid underpressure to said chamber at such a rate as to prevent a differential offluid pressures exceeding a predetermined degree of developing on saidabutment during charging of said chamber, a valve controllingcommunication through said normally open passage, means for seating saidvalve to close said communication, a spring, and a movable abutmentsubject to the opposing pressures of uid in said communication and saidspring normally holding said valve unseated and operative to permitseating of said valve when the pressure of fluid obtained in saidcommunication becomes suiiicient to overcome that of said spring.

2iA In combination, means having a normal position and having a positionfor effecting a signal, a device operative to eiect an initial movementof said means from said normal position to the signaling position,mechanism controlled by said means and set in operation upon an initialmovement of said means to signaling position for automatically elfectingalternate movements of said means first to the normal position and thento the signaling position, and means controlled by the rst named meansoperative automatically to stop said first named means in normalposition after said rst named means has been automatically moved to thesignaling position a predetermined number of times.

25. In combination, means having a normal position and having a positionfor eiecting a signal and operative upon a series of successivealternate movements from one position to the other to effect a series ofsuccessive signals, a device operative to effect the initial movement ofsaid means to the signaling position, mechanism set in operation by saidmeans upon the initial movement thereof to signaling position forautomatically effecting said successive alter- SOL nate movements ofsaid means, and means set in operation upon initiating the operation ofthe first named means and operative at the termination of apredetermined number of said successive movements to prevent movement ofsaid first named means out of normal position.

26. In combination, means having a normal position and having a positionfor effecting a signal, a device operative to effect the initialmovement of said means from said normal position to the signalingposition, mechanism controlled by said means and set in operation uponthe initial movement of said means to the signaling position forautomatically effecting movement thereof to the normal position after apredetermined period of time in said signaling position andautomatically operative a predetermined period of time after movement ofsaid means to normal position to again effect movement thereof tosignaling position, means for again returning said first named meansfrom signaling to normal position, and means controlled by the firstnamed means and operative automatically a predetermined period of timeafter the initial movement of the first named means to the signalingposition to hold said rst named means in normal position.

27. In combination, means having a normal position and having a positionfor effecting a signal, a device operative to effect the initialmovement of said means from said normal position to the signalingposition, mechanism controlled by said means and set in operation uponthe initial movement of said means to the signaling position forautomatically effecting movement thereof to the normal position after apredetermined period of time in said signaling position andautomatically operative a predetermined period of time after movement ofsaid means to normal position to again effect movement thereof tosignaling position, means for again returning said first named meansfrom signaling to normal position, and means Controlled by the firstnamed means and operative automatically a predetermined period of timeafter the initial movement of the first named means to the signalingposition to render said mechanism ineffective to effect movement of thefirst named means out of normal position.

28. In combination, means having a normal position and movable therefromto a signaling position for effecting a signal indication, a devicehaving a certain position and movable therefrom to effect movement ofsaid means from normal position to signaling position, said device beingthen movable back to said certain position, and mechanism controlled bysaid means and operative automatically after the initial movement ofsaid means to signaling position and with said device in said certainposition to effect alternate movements of said means flrst to normalposition and then back to signaling position, and means operativeautomatically to stop the first named means in normal position at thetermination of a predetermined series of said alternate movements.

29, In combination, means operative upon a decrease in fluid pressure toeffect a signal and upon an increase in fluid pressure to ceasesignaling, a device having a normal position and movable to anotherposition for effecting a reduction in fluid pressure on said means andthen movable back to said normal position, mechanism operativeautomatically after movement of said device back to normal position toeffect a series of successive increases and decreases in fluid pressureon said means, and means operative automatically after the fluidpressure on the first named means has been decreased a predeter inednumber of times to prevent further operation of said mechanism to reducethe fluid pressure on said means.

30. In combination, means operative upon a decrease in fluid pressure toeffect a signal and upon an increase in fluid pressure to ceasesignaling, a device having a normal position and movable to anotherposition for effecting a reduction in fluid pressure on said means andthen movable back to said normal position, mechanism operativeautomatically after movement of said device back to normal position toeffect a series of successive -increases and decreases in fluid press reon said means, and means operative automatically after the fluidpressure on the first named means has been decreased a predeterminednumber of times to prevent further operation of said mechanism to reducethe fluid pressure on said means, said mechanism and last named meansbeing controlled by the first named means.

JOSEPH C. MCCUNE.

